Ball-coupling.



PATENTED MAY 26, 1903.

No. 729,168, H. T. HENDERSON.

. BALL COUPLING.

UNrrnD STATES Patented May 26, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

BALL-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 729,168, dated May 26,1903.

Application filed August 6, 1902. Serial No. 118,625. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY T. HENDERSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Keokuk, in the county of Lee and State of Iowa, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Ball-Couplings, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in ball-couplings, and refers to aball-coupling for fifth-wheels of vehicles; and the object of myinvention is the provision of a coupling of this character which willallow for the proper movements of the vehicle when passing over roughroads and which will entirely remove all strain from the parts of thevehicle and coupling.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a coupling which willhave proper movement and which will be of simple, durable, inexpensive,and practical construction, thus embodying the features to render thecoupling entirely efficient in every particular. V 7

With these objects in view my invention consists of a fifth-wheelcoupling embodying novel features of construction and combination ofparts substantially as disclosed herein;

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my coupling. Fig. 2 representsa transverse sectional view, and Fig. 3 represents a longitudinalsectional view.

In the drawings, A designates the axle of the vehicle, upon which reststhe two-part casting B, having the depending lugs O,which embrace theaxle, the lateral ears D, which are engaged by the pair of clips E,which secure the casting to the axle, and the casting has the flaringmouth or channel F and the ball-socket G, with which communicates thevertical opening H, and the members or parts of the casting are securedfirmly together by bolts J, as shown. From this construction it will beseen that the casting or frame'is secured firmly upon the axle and issmall and compact, and in the ball-socket thereof. fits snuglythe ballK, which is formed with a stem L, which passes through the opening H,and upon this stem is the transverse supporting-plate L, and leadingfrom said ball K is the coupling-bar M, which is suitably connected tothe usual reach which connects the front and rear axle, as will beunderstood. The said coupling-bar is arranged in the flaring mouth ofthe frame or casing or casting and has full and proper lateral movementor play therein.

It will be seen that I provide a coupling which is small and compact andcan be easily applied, which permits free movement of the axle under allconditions,ancl which is strong and durable and practical in everyrespect.

I claim- 1. A vehicle reach-coupling, consisting of the casing having aball-socket, depending lugs to embracevthe axle, and lateral ears, clipsengaging said ears to secure the casing, and a ball fitting in theball-socket and having a coupling-bar at one side, an integral stemextending from the upper face through the casing and an integraltransverse supporting-plate.

2. A vehicle reach-coupling, composed of the casing having the dependinglugs embracing the axle and the lateral ears, the clips engaging saidears to secure the casing, the ball-bearing in the casing, thesupporting-plate, the integral stem depending from said plate andmounted upon the upper side of the ball and the coupling-bar formed onthe ball and at one side thereof.

3. A vehicle reach-coupling consisting of the casing composed of twomembers having the depending lugs to embrace the axle, the lateral earsto receive the securing-clips, the inward-extending flaring mouth andthe ball socket or bearing, the arm carrying the ball fitting in saidsocket, said ball having a stem extending upwardthrough the casing, andthe plate on said stem.

4. The vehicle reach-coupling herein shown and described, consisting ofthe transverse supporting-plate, the integral stem depending from saidplate, the ball formed on said stem and the bar on one side of the ball,said plate, stem, ball and bar being in one piece, the casing composedof two vertical members having the ball-socket, the flaring mouthleading from said socket, the depending lugs fitting on the axle, andthe lateral ears on each side and clips engaging the ears to secure thecasing upon the axle.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY '1. HENDERSON.

